#cooperation | Ontario Co-op Assoc.

A group of women at a ROSCA Network organization meeting.

Informal Co-operation isn’t Outside the Movement — it’s Where the Movement Began

Last month at the Worlding Feminist Economic Symposium at the University of Toronto, conversations around co‑operative economics, ROSCAs, art, and the law revealed a truth our sector rarely says out loud: communities have been building co‑operation long before formal co‑ops existed. From lending circles and mutual aid networks to informal shared‑wealth systems, people have always created ways to meet collective needs when institutions fall short.

Jennifer Ross

Jun 113 min read

A Co-op Placement student at the Ontario Co-operative Association

What a Co-op Placement Taught Me About Co-operative Businesses

Co-operatives don’t get the same recognition as traditional businesses, despite doing serious work in communities across Canada and around the world. A lot of students and young professionals are in the same spot, and not long ago, I was too.

Guest Writer

Apr 152 min read

The ClimateCare head office team and companies at a quarterly General Meetings, May 2025, Kingston Ontario.

The Benefits of Being Co-operative

Let's look at how ClimateCare benefits from being structured as a co-operative – and how your business might too!

Tom Rand

Feb 94 min read

Heading into 2026: Make Co-ops Part of Your Everyday Life

Co-operatives aren’t just businesses; they’re community-driven organizations that put people before profit. When you support a co-op, you’re investing in your neighbours, strengthening local economies, and contributing to a more sustainable future.